Can Daith Piercing Stop Migraines? Here's What You Need To Know About The Ear Piercing Trend

The severe headache usually appears as a throbbing pain at the front or side of the head and often causes feelings of nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light or sound.

But a growing number of migraine sufferers believe they may have found an unusual way to ease symptoms: daith piercings.

A daith piercing is an ear piercing in the innermost cartilage fold of the ear. Advocates say it works in the same way as acupuncture, targeting pressure points on the body's surface to ease discomfort.

This results in the body producing pain-relieving substances, such as endorphins. It is likely these substances are responsible for any beneficial effects seen with acupuncture.

Many people on social media have come forward to share their positive experiences of getting a daith piercing, including Nicole Bandes.

Writing on Facebook the managing director from Arizona said: "I've now had this (piercing) for over six months and can honestly admit that is has worked for me.

"I've seen a reduction in frequency and intensity of my migraines where nothing else seemed to help. My husband noticed it before I did (and that's saying something). Maybe I just wasn't willing to admit that it was actually working.

"Since getting it, I think I've had less than five migraines. Only one of those has actually made me fully non functional for a day. I've dramatically reduced my use of drugs to deal with the migraines."

Migraine suffers, here's my verdict on the Daith Piercing... I had the piercing done in April after my friend, Torrie,...

He goes on to explain that although daith piercings appear to be a recent trend, the "location of the piercing has actually been targeted by acupuncturists to help cure headaches" in the past.

"Acupuncturists target this area during sessions, and many people experience short-term headache relief after treatment," he says.

Simon Evans, CEO of Migraine Action, also points out that daith piercings may not work for everyone.

"We are always pleased when people gain some measure of relief from their migraine. Migraine is a term covering a range of similar conditions in which headache can be a symptom," he tells HuffPost UK Lifestyle.

"Unfortunately what works for one person can make the condition worse in others, so we have to treat this with a degree of caution, especially in these very early days after the procedure has been done.

"As with any technique we would welcome the results of a clinical trial so it can be considered properly, to allow for a full understanding of the long term implications and effects of the piercing on patients.

"We would highly recommend that all migraine patients continue with the treatment that has been prescribed by their medical professional."

If the idea of a piercing doesn't appeal, Evans says you do not need to suffer migraines in silence.